Nursing Science, DNS

Contact: Tommie Nelms, RN, Ph.D., Program Director
Office: Prillaman Hall, Room 3017
Phone: 678-797-2088
Fax: 770-423-6627
Email: tnelms1@kennesaw.edu
Web address: http://www.kennesaw.edu/col_hhs/schoolofnursing/DNS/

The Doctorate of Nursing Science (DNS) is a research-focused applied doctorate and graduates are prepared as scholars with inquiry skills of a researcher, and the leadership skills necessary to influence health processes, outcomes, and policy.

DNS graduates are expected to engage in a variety of career options such as: faculty in schools or colleges of nursing, directors and investigators in nursing-related evaluation programs, leaders in health care delivery settings, and leaders in development of effective health care systems.

Upon successful completion of the DNS program, graduates will be able to:

• Synthesize knowledge of the theoretical foundations of nursing and related fields;
• Integrate acquired knowledge into a philosophical and intellectual frame of reference that can be applied to nursing education and practice-based solutions to health and health care problems;
• Advance the body of nursing knowledge by identifying gaps in the knowledge base of practice, conducting applied research and evaluation of nursing interventions and health care outcomes, and disseminating evidence-based solutions to problems within health care.;
• Demonstrate leadership, analytical, and collaborative strategies in the development and implementation of population-based health care models and health care responses to health disparities locally and globally;
• Demonstrate leadership, analytical, and collaborative strategies in the development and implementation of innovative and outcome focused nursing curriculum models incorporating nursing, philosophy, and education theories to facilitate student learning and success.

General Requirements for Admission to the DNS Program

DNS admission requires:

1. Official transcripts of all previous college work, graduate and undergraduate;
2. Master’s degree with a major in nursing from a nationally accredited institution;
3. Official GRE scores of 500 Verbal, 500 Quantitative, and 3.5 (minimum) analytic writing (or the equivalent on the newly normed version). GRE scores will be considered from applicants whose scores are more than 5 years old (GRE reporting limit), who can produce “official documentation” of their scores;
4. A current license to practice professional nursing in the United States. (Nursing credentials of international students will be assessed individually);
5. A course in statistics;
6. A course in research at the graduate level;
7. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can address the applicant’s abilities to do doctoral level work (hold a doctoral degree or equivalent);
8. A curriculum vitae or resume;
9. A written statement of personal and professional interests and goals related to nursing doctoral study (1-2 pages in length);
10. Personal interview with program faculty.
11. Two professional letters of reference.

Transfer Credit

If accepted into the program, up to 15 post-master’s graduate semester hours of comparable transfer credit for the DNS may be accepted toward completion of the requirements. Transfer credit will not be accepted for the core course requirements that are central to the program’s distinctive focus. Consequently, transfer credit considerations are typically restricted to elective courses and possibly statistics courses. Decisions about the acceptability of transfer credit will be made on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the doctoral advisor and director of the doctoral program.

Program of Study

The Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS) is designed to prepare nurse educators and scholars for leadership roles in nursing education, health policy related to vulnerable populations, and applied research. The graduate will function as a nurse leader with expertise in nursing and healthcare phenomena related to evidence-based practice, the investigative skills of an applied researcher, and the leadership skills for influencing health care systems, particularly related to population-based health disparities. The curriculum focuses on nursing education and health policy within the context of health disparities and population based health care. Coursework will prepare the graduate to evaluate and influence nursing practice and health care delivery systems, and to educate the next generation of nurses through various faculty roles.

The curriculum, based on AACN Indicators of Quality in Research-Focused Doctoral Programs in Nursing (2001), will follow the traditional doctoral education format consisting of core nursing courses, elective and support courses, and the conduct of an individually developed comprehensive applied research dissertation. The program is 60 credit hours composed of 6 hours of statistics, 33 hours of core nursing coursework, 9 hours of electives (one specified in education elective), and 12 hours (minimum) dissertation credit. All students take coursework in the two program foci: Leadership in Nursing Education and Leadership in Responses to Health Disparities. Students may attend the program full-time (9 hours per semester) or part-time (6 hours per semester).